Harvey Lee Watkins Jr. (born November 2, 1954) is an American

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

ian and currently the lead singer of

The Canton Spirituals The Canton Spirituals are an American gospel recording group founded in Canton, Mississippi in 1943. Background The original Canton Spirituals from 1943 were Reverend Arthur Lee Jackson Sr., Reverend I.S. Watkins, Claude Nichols, Warren G. W ...

, which his father Harvey Watkins Sr. founded. He started his solo music career, in 1990, with the release of, ''He's There All the Time'', that was released by J&B Records. His second album, ''It's in My Heart – Live in Raymond, MS'', released by

Verity Records Verity Records is an American gospel music-focused record label, founded in 1994. The Gospel group operated by Provident Label Group, which in turn is owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Artists * 21:03 * Crystal Aikin * Deitrick Haddon * DeWay ...

in 2003, and this placed on the ''Billboard'' magazine Gospel Albums chart. The third album, ''Keep Knocking'', was released in 2013 by Malaco Records, but this did not place on any charts.

Early life

Watkins was born on November 2, 1954, as Harvey Lee Watkins Jr. in

Canton, Mississippi Canton is a city in Madison County, Mississippi, Madison County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 13,189 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. It is the county seat of Madison County, and situated in the northern part of th ...

, He was named after his father Mr. Harvey Lee Watkins Sr. and to Mrs. Emma Watkins. Harvey was their first son and fourth child. He was stricken with Polio, as a three-year-old, and was healed by prayer. He was influenced by his fathers band,

which included his uncle, the late Reverend I. S. Watkins. Ever since he was a child he loved their singing and he later became a member in 1973. He is still currently the lead singer for the group and he still continues to tour.

Music career

His solo music recording career commenced in 1990, with the release of ''He's There All the Time'' by J&B Records on October 17, 1990. The subsequent album, ''It's in My Heart – Live in Raymond, MS'', was released on June 17, 2003 by

, and this was his ''Billboard'' magazine breakthrough album upon the Gospel Albums chart at No. 11.

Discography

References

External links

''Cross Rhythms'' artist profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watkins, Harvey Lee Jr. 1954 births Living people African-American songwriters African-American Christians Musicians from Mississippi Songwriters from Mississippi 21st-century African-American musicians 20th-century African-American musicians People from Canton, Mississippi